o2 Music Academy

Are you a music fan in Leicester? Then, you must have surely attended concerts and shows at the renowned O2 Music Academy situated on the campus of the University of Leicester. First started in 2010, this music venue is well – known all over the city for being a popular choice amongst musicians and bands, thanks to its prominent location in the city and the capacity it seats, with 1450 when packed full house.

In addition to the main arena, there are two more venues on the campus, which operate independently of the main one. They are the O2 Academy2 which has a capacity of 450 and the O2 Academy3 which can bear 250 people when full house.

About the venue

The Academy Music Group, which owns the venue, has invested more than $2m for creating equipment and production tools across the three venues present at the campus. Such is the fame for the venue that bands and performers such as the Rolling Stones, The Smiths, The Jam and Led Zeppelin have all performed there. Situated in the same city as the King Power Stadium.

Facilities at the venue

The venue has their own box office, which operates with staff half an hour before the doors open for the show. One can use their own guest list or they will be happy to coordinate with yours as well. The curfew at the venue occurs at a strict 10pm; the racks must be used well and the lighting must be packaged to the floor. Showsec International Limited is responsible for handling the security at the place. The venue in addition to the main stage has 2 rooms which operate as backstage, 3 toilets and 3 showers. Note that one can request for a third dressing room as well.Additionally, catering can be set up in the Academy 3 venue. For more information the general manager needs to be contacted. Parking facilities are available within the university campus, although you are required to provide the vehicle details 2 days in advance. Loading to the stage and backstage can be accommodated through specially designed loading bays; also the venue provides ample storage spaces for empty boxes.

How to reach there?

If you are planning to arrive by bus, you can catch the buses 80 and 80A which also pass through the Halls of Residence. If your source is in the line of Charles Street route, you can pick the 30 and 30A bus. If you are arriving at the venue by far and use train, then the nearest railway station to the venue is the St. Margaret Station situated a kilometer away. There are direct trains operating there from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Derby.If the mode of transport you are choosing is a coach, go to National Express that stops at the St. Margaret Bus Station. The 80 coach passes through the University and the return route is covered mostly by 80A which also follows roughly the same route. Do make sure to plan your journey well in advance so that you do not miss out on the initial parts of the show and all the procedures can be looked into smoothly.